Textile Multitouch Force-Sensor Array Based on Circular and Non-Circular Polymer Optical Fibers

IEEE Sensors Journal, vol. 20, pp. 7548–7555

Abstract

A 3 × 3 textile integrated force-sensor array is presented that is based on the cross coupling of optical fibers and provides multi-touch capability. The force sensing relies on cross coupling between two fibers that are aligned orthogonally to each other. The actual coupling is improved by an increased contact area and higher scattering at the fiber crossing. A systematic analysis of different parameters is done for the driving and the sensing fiber, which involves materials, size, fabrication parameters as well as the cross-section shape. The results reveal that the combination of a rather stiff driving fiber and a flexible sensing fiber from elastomer (TPU) lead to the highest sensitivities in the range of 45.5 pW/N. The application of non-circular cross sections can improve the coupling efficiency by directing the side-emitted light better towards the sensing fiber. A trilobal-shaped driving fiber lead to an increase of 5 dBs, whereas the shaping of the sensing fiber improved the efficiency by another 7.5 dB.

Authors 8

1. Christian‐Alexander Bunge

   Leipzig University of Applied Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty for Digital Transformation, Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur (HTWK) Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

2. Jan P. Kallweit Aachen Institut für Textiltechnik

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

3. Mohmmed Al Houri

   Hochschule für Telekommunikation Leipzig

   Affiliation as printed

   Hochschule für Telekommunikation Leipzig (HfTL), Deutsche Telekom AG, Leipzig, Germany

4. Benjamin Mohr
   Affiliation as printed

   MENTOR GmbH & Co., Präzisions-Bauteile KG, Erkrath, Germany

5. A. Berzios

   Leipzig University of Applied Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty for Digital Transformation, Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur (HTWK) Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

6. C. Grauberger

   Leipzig University of Applied Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty for Digital Transformation, Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur (HTWK) Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

7. P. Adi

   Leipzig University of Applied Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty for Digital Transformation, Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur (HTWK) Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

8. Thomas Gries

   Leipzig University of Applied Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty for Digital Transformation, Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur (HTWK) Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany